Get the Most Popular Audiobooks in Classics, British Literature Top Rated

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Title: Far From the Madding Crowd

Author: Thomas Hardy

Narrator: Flo Gibson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 40 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-13-11

Publisher: Audio Book Contractors, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Bathsheba Everdene's three wooers, the faithful Gabriel Oak, the passionate William Boldwood and the adventurer Sergeant Troy, eventually cause madness and murder in this fatalistic novel. Hardy's writing is full of beautiful descriptions and deep wisdom.

Members Reviews:

The Genius of Thomas Hardy

Thomas Hardy considered himself a poet primarily and the novelist part was mostly spurred on by the desire to eat and pay the bills. I suspect that some people may disagree with me, but his poetry is not what he is remembered for.

Hardy's fiction, for the most part, falls under the category of romance that is fleshed out with elements of the class struggle, social values, complex character development,and an understanding of English country life. His writing is detailed, descriptive, and has a poetic narrative that grabs the reader's attention and just won't let go.

Hardy's novels usually take place in Wessex, a fictional region in England based on his own place of birth Dorset. Far From The Madding Crowd centers on farmer/land owner Bathsheba Everdene and the three men who vie for her attentions. It unrolls as a long and interesting soap opera that takes the heroine through the ups and downs of life, with an adequate amount of sexual tension, frustration, heatbreak, and missed opportunities while playing out any number of subplots before coming to any resolutions. The resounding sub theme throughout are the series of strange occurrences that alter the destinies of Bathsheba and her three very different suitors.

I have probably read this novel 5 or 6 times since my first reading as a teenager. Its themes resonated with me during that first reading and continue to do so with each subsequent reading. This is an exciting book and one that is very easy to read.

A word buffet.

I chose Far From The Madding Crowd (always thought it was "Maddening"!) because I saw a preview for the movie soon to be released and it looked intriguing. I was not disappointed. However, if you do not like literature that is rich and wordy, you will not like this book. I loved Hardy's writing more than the story itself. The characters were fairly predictable in their development, but that did not make the book less enjoyable. I am usually a fast reader but slowed my pace to really enjoy Hardy's writing.

Wonderful story

An absolutely wonderful story that was such a delight to read. The author's has given all his characters such distinct personalities, from the protagonists Gabriel Oat who is staunch, Bathsheba Everdene vain, wishy-washy at times even pitiful to all the towns folk. The story itself has some tragedy, twists and turns and some harrowing times with bits of humor sprinkled in. This is one of the books due to be released this year as a movie, Since most movie screen plays are "based" on the literary work it will be interesting to see how it is translated to the silver screen. I would highly recommend this to everyone,, even though written in 1874 it's a brilliant work of literature,

Thoroughly enjoyable read - Now that I've read will see the films

It was slow going at first because it took me a while to get into the rhythm of the dialect. I kept imagining that golf's Dave Feherty was speaking in my head and that made it easier for me to read it in a bit of a brogue. Wonderful story with rich characters.

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Title: Adam Bede

Author: George Eliot

Narrator: Flo Gibson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 18 hrs and 45 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-12-11

Publisher: Audio Book Contractors, Inc.

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

The is the heart-rending tale of carpenter Adam Bede's love for pretty, superficial Hetty Sorrel, her trial for the murder of her ilegitimate child, the plight of her seducer, and Adam's growing affection for Dinah Morris, a Methodist preacher. Eliot's comments on pastoral life and the wisdom and candor of Mrs. Poyser add zest and humor.

Members Reviews:

Narrator grew on me

At first I found the narrator irritating, but her voice and pace fits this book well. Another Eliot classic.

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Title: The Black Arrow

Author: Robert Louis Stevenson

Narrator: Flo Gibson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 52 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-11-11

Publisher: Audio Book Contractors, Inc.

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Arrows fly, swords clash, and swashes buckle in this battle to the finish between the Yorks and the Lancastrians! Of course there is a romance that withstands many trials and ultimately... oh, but that would be giving it away!

Members Reviews:

The Black Arrow

I can't remember a story about Knights, I have enjoyed more than this. "Realistic" speech, and spelling. I think the book is free. Whispersync is only $2.99, which I highly recommend. Although I think we should all start writing Amazon that public domain classics, novels etc... Should be free for registered Amazon members and Whispersync for them should never cost more then $0.99.

Again this is easily one of the best stories of Knighthood I've ever read.,

A Good Book, But Not Annotated In This Edition

I am a total "Black Arrow" fan, so I loved the addition of the N.C. Wyeth illustrations, which enhance a true classic. The thing that disappointed me was the absence of any appreciable annotation in this edition. There IS Stevenson's footnotes about Richard Crookback being much younger than he is represented in the text (Richard Crookback was 8-9 years old at the time of the story: May, 1460-January, 1461). Outside of these original footnotes there is no other annotation outside the prefatory material at the beginning. I still have to give this item a "majority favorable" rating since I love it so much.

A Solid Adventure Novel

The Black Arrow was an enjoyable, fast-paced adventure novel. The protagonist was flawed in a way that made him believable and likable. Best of all, his flaws serve the reader as subtle cautionary tales against haste and violence while still providing a very entertaining read.

Written for adolescents, I expect that the novel's period-style language would be somewhat difficult for younger readers today although I do think that the lessons are valuable enough that young people should be encouraged to at least attempt what is otherwise a not very challenging read. The ending, the change in the protagonist's goals and his realizations about his own actions were very satisfying.

Additionally, I found the free Kindle edition to be adequate and free from distracting format errors or other issues.

A Fun Historical Adventure

I'm pretty sure my dad read this book to me while I was lying on what seemed like my death bed, during the summer before my freshman year in college. I had a serious case of mono and was flat on my back for about 6 weeks. Whatever, I have a vague recollection of having been read the book, so I wanted to give it another go.

I rather liked the book. It was entertaining and appeared to have some interesting bits of 15th-century British history intertwined.

Stevenson's "Tushery" Triumphant

Robert Louis Stevenson's classic first written in serial installments in 1883 takes one back to the 15th century gallantry embodied in his hero Sir Richard Shelton. Stevenson loved his characterization of Richard Crookback (Richard III), whose skeleton was recently found in England. Stevenson encapsulates the Wars of the Roses in this delightful novel, simple enough for the young to understand and enchanting enough for the mature to enjoy. I heartily recommend this to all.

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Title: Great Expectations

Author: Charles Dickens

Narrator: Dick Hill

Format: Unabridged

Length: 21 hrs and 40 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-03-11

Publisher: Alpha DVD LLC

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Great Expectations is one of Charles Dickens greatest critical and popular successes. The first-person narrative relates the coming-of-age of Pip (Philip Pirrip). Reared in the marshes of Kent by his disagreeable sister and her sweet-natured husband, the blacksmith Joe Gargery, the young Pip one day helps a convict to escape. Later he is sent to live with Miss Havisham, a woman driven half-mad years earlier by her lover's departure on their wedding day. Her other ward is the orphaned Estella, whom she is teaching to torment men with her beauty. Pip, at first cautious, later falls in love with Estella.

When an anonymous benefactor makes it possible for Pip to go to London for an education, he credits Miss Havisham. He begins to look down on his humble roots, but nonetheless Estella spurns him again and marries instead the ill-tempered Bentley Drummle. Pip's benefactor turns out to have been Abel Magwitch, the convict he once aided, who dies awaiting trial after Pip is unable to help him a second time.

Members Reviews:

TV and Movies versions were good, but the book is better. . .

One of my co-workers encouraged me to read this since I have only seen the TV/Movie versions. It was a quick read and very enjoyable. Fortunately, the TV/Movie versions weren't too far off the mark. Regardless, there were facets of the story that you would only get through the book, which is why reading the book will always be my favorite option.

BAH! HUMBUG!! "God bless Us, Every One"

A Christmas Carol is a beloved Christmas favorite. Nothing says Christmas like favorite Christmas stories. This timeless tale has been told in many versions. Iâve seen the movie and play but Iâve never read the book. I thought it was about time to finally read this tale.

The illustrations throughout the book were fun to look at. Not common to find illustrations in books today unless they are children stories.

Lots of great quotes come from this story but the most famous is BAH! HUMBUG! followed by:

"God bless Us, Every One!"

Standalone

As great to read vs as to watch as a production.

We've enjoyed many kinds of productions of this classic Scrooge story. The original makes us 'rise to the occasion' - or at least gets us to mentally take the time to step back in that era. Life was so different, so the real factor is (I think) a little richer, than already assembled viewables. Emotional, and the older language adds some incentive to digging into the story.

A must read!

Dickens has always intimidated me. Somehow, I made my way through high school and college without having to read one of his novels. Finally, a few weeks before Christmas, I decided to give this a try when I learned it is relatively short. I figured if it took some work, at least it wouldn't take all that long. I'm sorry I waited so long. It was impossible for me to separate this from the many versions of A Christmas Carol I've seen over the years. I loved it. I enjoyed the glimpse into the time and place of the story. The story and theme are, of course, legendary.

Don't be intimidated. This is a book everyone should read at least once.

Classic I Know

I have tried this one before and was distracted within the first five chapters but with the advise of a colleague I am going to attempt this one again.

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Title: The Virgin and the Gypsy

Author: D. H. Lawrence

Narrator: Georgina Sutton

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 36 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-01-11

Publisher: Naxos AudioBooks

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

In post-war East Midlands, in a home dominated by their difficult grandmother and aunt, Yvette and Lucille are two sisters struggling to bring joy into their lives. Their mother, having run off in a scandal, leaves the two to suffer a dysfunctional family life and oppressive domesticity. But one day, Yvette meets a free-spirited gypsy and his family, awakening her sexual desires and compounding her disenchantment.

Editorial Reviews:

Georgina Sutton delivers the story of the virgin daughter of a vicar and her fascinating romantic entanglement with a gypsy in East Midlands, England. Set after WWI, the story recounts the events of daily life in the rectory, where all action is stifled by the mores of the day. Sutton flawlessly describes how Yvette, traveling throughout the countryside, comes across a gypsy camp, full of colorful, warm free spirits. One of them in particular catches her eye. Sutton's subtle reading of Lawrence's character studies - especially her portrait of Yvette's longing for love - draws the listener into this story of self-discovery.

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Title: Villette

Author: Charlotte Bronte

Narrator: Carole Boyd

Format: Abridged

Length: 2 hrs and 24 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-01-11

Publisher: The Copyright Group

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

The story of Villette is told in flashback by Lucy Snowe, who tells of the trials of her young self-first in England, and then in Belgium. Charlotte Bronte does not paint a romantic picture of an unsupported woman's life - her heroine has to endure straitened circumstances, insecurity and humiliation. However, despite everything that happens to her, Lucy is a warm and courageous character who makes the most of the opportunities that occur. The love and fulfilment which are readily available to her younger, prettier and richer charges are not quite outside her reach, but it is clear to the reader that for her to achieve them cannot be easy.

Members Reviews:

of course some passages of brilliant writing but

I found this novel overly long, and the story-line is subjected to a profusion of unrealistic improbabilities. There are, of course some passages of brilliant writing but, on the whole, I enjoyed "Jane Eyre" more, in spite of the critics' consensus that "Villette" is the superior novel.

Wonderful book but ending left to the imagination

I truly enjoyed this book...the writing style, the personalities, the mysticism that really wasn't.... The only thing it missed was the laying out of the denouement. It was left to the readers' imagination, which, while it might be enjoyable for some, left me unsatisfied.

I love this edition so much I bought several other books ...

I love this edition so much I bought several other books with this binding. The only problem is my cat also liked the binding and the little string to mark the page and within two days had chewed the corner off the book.

Wonderful read

This work is perhaps one of the finest written in English literature, the author not only gives us a superior story but her knowledge of the language and vocabulary are indeed extensive. Her characters are so well written and described they come to life from the pages in the book. I was slowly drawn into the story and it held my interest right through to the final thought. Not a quick read by any means but much pleasure is derived from reading slowly and thoughtfully. Much of the discourse between the characters is spoken in French, which I am sadly ignorant of, but I was still able to follow the work none the less and by way of âhintsâ and reference could understand their meaning.

Wonderful!

Wonderful Read. I especially got excited when my favorite reader, Davina Porter read this special book. She always makes a good book even more so.

Villette is right up there with the best of Charlotte Bronte's books. I don't "tell the story" in my reviews but only my opinion of it. Not a happily after book but an inspiring story of a sensible, practical, and kind woman. Her opinions and thoughts tell her story and struggles to independence. Some strange occurances are solved with humor adding to it at the end. I enjoyed it immensely. Saved the five stars for Jane Eyre.

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Title: The Three Musketeers

Author: Alexandre Dumas

Narrator: Jonathan Hyde

Format: Abridged

Length: 2 hrs and 22 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-14-11

Publisher: The Copyright Group

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

The Three Musketeers is a swashbuckling story of derring-do. From dArtagnans first meeting with Athos, Portos and Aramis, the Musketeers he so admires, Alexandre Dumas never lets up the pace of his story. His four heroes gallop through the land, trying to foil the murderous plots of the Cardinal and Milady without a thought for their own safety. Dumas depicts the characters with a vivid colour and an energy that brings to life all the fury of their conflicting passions.

Members Reviews:

Abridged

The British narrator and the music were fun additions but the story was abridged and I didn't realize it until I saw the length. Good to get the basic story in 2 hours.

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Title: The Scarlet Pimpernel

Author: Baroness Orczy

Narrator: Adrian Lukis

Format: Abridged

Length: 2 hrs and 24 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-14-11

Publisher: The Copyright Group

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

From its opening amid the horrors of the French Revolution, to its unexpected ending on the shores of the English Channel, The Scarlet Pimpernel fizzes with excitement and wit. Dominating the action is the apparently limp-wristed fop, Sir Percy Blakeney, the most unlikely, though the most gentlemanly of heroes. With a happy countenance Sir Percy outwits all the machinations of Chauvelin, the zealous Revolutionary official, to help nobles escape.

Members Reviews:

Review for Scarlet Pimpernel

Do you like the book Count of Monte Cristo? If so, the Scarlet Pimpernel is a good recommendation for you as the storyline is also full of suspense. However, don't hold your expectations too high because the storyline isn't as intense, and it's really a short book compares to the Count of Monte Cristo. No major issues, no twists or tragic relationship, and the setting is more of a political one instead of the beauty of the sea or the darkness of jail. The schemes are not as intelligent but there are still several surprises at the end of the book. The Scarlet Pimpernel is a good book for learning a little about the French Revolution and for killing time.

An engaging story

As I began to read Orczy's "The Scarlet Pimpernel" it seemed I had plunged myself into the middle of a complex collection of events. The story begins with a rescue, an unhappy marriage, and many mysteries, and only as the story progresses does one begin to understand each character in depth. I enjoyed the consistent flow that the story followed; getting more interesting with each chapter, and growing gradually in intensity.

I rated this book with four stars mostly because of its intriguing story line. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romance and adventure, or anyone looking for an inspiring story about moral decisions and human nature.

The only reason I do not give this book five stars is because it has a few repetitive phrases throughout the book. The repetition seemed unnecessary to me, but I could understand if others thought it to be important.

Over all good read! I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Loved it even if one scene was a bit implausible.

I do not want to spoil any part of the book, so all I will say is that part of the ending seemed impossible. I enjoyed everything about the characters, style of writing, plot, etc.

A classic

I love this book and especially the characters and imagery it evokes. An old tale beautifully told. I will be reading it over and over again.

Excellent Melodrama

My interest was piqued after watching the 1930s classic of the same title staring Leslie Howard. I would heartily recommend both the book and (this) version of the movie even though the existing copy is quite grainy. Later versions of the movie simply do not capture the spirit of the book. Baroness Orczy has a wonderful command of the English Language for one not born to the tongue.

The book is melodrama, not literature but is highly satisfying for its language, plot devices, and character development. At its core it is a love story in which the protagonist, Sir Blakeney, one of the wealthiest men in England, plays the fop while plotting daring rescues of French nobility from the embrace of Madam Guillotine.

He and his wife are estranged. Madam Blakeney is a most clever and witty French actress and ex patriot who has discovered her husband is nothing but a worthless fop.

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Title: Anna of the Five Towns

Author: Arnold Bennett

Narrator: Peter Joyce

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-02-11

Publisher: Assembled Stories

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 10 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

Set in stifled, industrial Staffordshire in the late 19th century, against a strong evangelical background, Anna of the Five Towns tells of the courting of hard businessman Ephraim Tellright's daughter by prosperous and accomplished Henry Mynors.

As her father's fortune grows, so does Anna understanding. She realises her legacy and responsibility for the possible ruination of her father's tenants, Titus Price and his son, Willie, who also loves her. Mynors is soon in partnership with Tellright. Will Anna defy the miserly Ephraim, offend Mynors, with their marriage imminent, and help the unfortunate Prices - or subdue her instincts and resign herself to the way of Business?

Critic Reviews:

"Peter Joyce is the most remarkable one-man band in audiobook publishing. Joyce, an experienced actor, reads them all himself." (The Independent)

About Assembled Stories: Over the years the national press have reviewed Assembled Stories titles as "excellent", "remarkable", "entrancing", "superb", "magic for sure", "masterly", "wonderful", "a class act" and "a splendid example of audio at its best".

Members Reviews:

Brilliantly read and totally absorbing

The characters are vividly portrayed both by the author and by the narrator. A real classic of 'The Five Towns'

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Title: The Adventures of Brigadier Gerard

Author: Arthur Conan Doyle

Narrator: Rupert Degas

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 52 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-28-11

Publisher: Naxos AudioBooks

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 12 votes

Genres: Classics, British Literature

Publisher's Summary:

With a horse between his thighs and a weapon in his grip, the dashing Brigadier Etienne Gerard, Colonel of the Hussars of Conflans, gallops through the Napoleonic campaigns on secret missions for his beloved Emperor and his country. He encounters danger and hair-breadth escapes but never loses his bravado, his eye for a pretty girl, his boastfulness or his enormous vanity.

Gerard is Conan Doyles most lovable character. At times hilarious, at times touching, these stories are amongst Conan Doyles most popular.

Editorial Reviews:

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle may be best known for his Sherlock Holmes stories, but they were not his favorites. He loved the stories that promoted the chivalric ethos, even if they sometimes made fun of their heroes, as here. Gerard is a cavalry officer who is devoted to Napoleon and is incapable of seeing the world through any other lens. Rupert Degas is reliably excellent as the ego-inflated officer who fails to see the differences between French and English values, remaining fully confident through what most of us would consider the most embarrassing situations. But Degas never loses touch with the man's innate courage, grace, and devotion to his principles.

Members Reviews:

Dashing and slyly funny

I listened to this back to back with its companion piece, The Exploits of Brigadier Gerard. Gerard narrates his own adventures: the remarkable thing about them is that he shows real dash and courage, yet such is Conan Doyle's skill that his ridiculous vanity shows through plainly in his own words.

Gerard is a leader of the Hussars of Conflans, a celebrated cavalry regiment serving under Napoleon in his wars against Portugal, Spain, England, Russia, and Prussia; and in the course of the two volumes of stories we visit all those places. We witness Waterloo from Gerard's point of view and make a final sad visit to St Helena.

For me, Gerard is less interesting in himself than as a contrast to Sherlock Holmes: it's hard to think of two men who could be more different. I also have to confess that I got a bit tired of Gerard's routine before the end of the second volume. This is not a problem with the writing or with Rupert Degas' brilliant narration. I would have enjoyed the last few stories more if I'd taken a break between the two volumes.

One way to think of Gerard is that he's everything Richard Sharpe is not. If Bernard Cornwell didn't write an encounter between these two, it was a missed opportunity.

I was there... Watching... Listening..A great work

Would you listen to The Adventures of Brigadier Gerard again? Why?

Yes, you bet

What other book might you compare The Adventures of Brigadier Gerard to and why?

Arthur Conan Doyle is a gifted individual, and anything he touches becomes magical.

Which scene was your favorite?

Hard to come up with one... but any where Gerard becomes the cause celebre with heroism at his back and homage in his front became all too common his life,

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

A sad tributary to a magnificent battle

A French Flashman - Classic!

This book was a wonderful find.